Upstanding rotatable child supporting pole having adjustable flexibility

ABSTRACT

An amusement ride for a child, the device incorporating an upstanding, flexible pole, the upper end of which accordingly bends over due to the weight of a child sitting on a seat supported by a line from the upper end of the pole, the lower end of the pole being rotatable within a sleeve fitted in a ground, the weight of the pole resting upon a thrust bearing, and the pole being rotatable by the action of a wind-up coil spring.

O Umted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,726,521 Sidla rskas [451 Apr. 10, 1973 UPSTANDING ROTATABLE CHILD 2,551,267 5 1951 Hegewald ..272/33 R SUPPORTING POLE HAVING 3,246,893 4/1966 Boggild et al... .272/60 x 3,480,274 1 H1969 Boggild et a1 ..272/60 [76] Inventor: Donald M. Sidlauskas, 3950 NW. FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 32nd Terrace, Fm Lauderdale, 395,672 /1931 Great Britain ..272/ 33309 374,362 6/1932 Great Britain. [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1971 482,595 7/1953 Italy ..272/41 [21] Appl. No.: 170,896 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Amold W. Kramer [52] US. Cl ..272/4l, 297/274 {57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl v ..A63g l/l2 58 Field of Search ..272/40, 41, 39, 31 R, All amusement fide for a child, the device incorporat- 272/31 A 33 R 51 86, 0 5; 4 9 ing an upstanding, flexible pole, the upper end Of 297,273 274 which accordingly bends over due to the weight of a child sitting on a seat supported by a line from the upper end of the pole, the lower end of the pole being [56] References Cited rotatable within a sleeve fitted in a ground, the weight UNITED STATES PATENTS of the pole resting upon a thrust bearing, and the pole being rotatable by the action of a wind-up coil spring. 55,849 6/1866 Gibson ..272/85 118,599 8/1871 Faulks ..272/33 R X 2 Claims, 3 /Z I E A? a Z6 7 Z6 /6 Z f l U i a E 'g I PATENT ED APR 1 01973 UPSTANDING ROTATABLE CHILD SUPPORTING POLE HAVING ADJUSTABLE FLEXIBILITY This invention relates generally to playground devices.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an amusement ride for a child which permits the child to ride around a post and bounce at the same time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an astro whip which provides a diversion and exercise for a child.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an astro whip which is safe for a small child so that he may not become injured thereby.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an astro whip which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in constriction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified seat for use with the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents an astro whip according to the present invention wherein there is an elongated pole 11 which may be made of fiberglass or spring steel material so that it may be flexed under load without breaking. A cord or rope 12 is secured to the upper end of the pole 11 so to support a depending seat 13 for a child.

The opposite, lower end of the pole 11 extends vertically into a sleeve 14 placed in a ground 15 which may be reinforced by concrete around the sleeve so to maintain the sleeve rigid. The lower end of the pole is rotatable within the sleeve 14. I

A thrust bearing 16 for providing relativelyfriction free rotation of the pole 11 is made by means of a horizontal flange 17 on the upper end of the sleeve 14 and-a horizontal flange 18 permanently affixed to the pole 11 and a plurality of bearing balls 19 located between the flanges l7 and 18 which thus form races for the thrust bearing.

A compression coil spring 20 is titted around the pole 11, one end of the spring 20 being secured at 21 to the pole, the opposite end of the spring 20 being rigidly affixed at 22 to any stationary object such as the tab 23 formed on the flange 17 of sleeve 14.

It will now be evident that the pole is rotatable within the sleeve and that the spring 20 may become wound up by force so that upon release, the spring tension will become unwound and thus rotate the pole.

- In operative use, a child may be seated on the seat 13, the weight of the child thus causing the pole 11 to flex as shown in FIG. 1. A tethering device 24 may secure the seat 13 temporarily while a child enters the seat.

To wind up the pole, the pole is rotated to wind up the spring after which being released, the pole will rotate permitting the child to be carried around the pole upon the seat, the child at the same time being able to bounce upwardly and downwardly so to give an excitinglride completely around the pole support.

The exmg arc of the pole 11 may be controlled by means of a device 25 so that children of different weights may ride the device ,with the pole being properly flexed.

The device 25 includes an internally threaded sleeve 26 which is threadingly engaged to an external thread 27 around the outer side of the pole 11, the sleeve 26 being manually rotatable by means of hand levers 28 secured to the sleeve.

It will be evident that when the sleeve 26 is moved upwardly the flexing of the pole 11 will become less so that it will be ideal for supporting a relatively heavier child.

When the sleeve 26 is moved downwardly, the pole will flex more so that it will be better for a small, lightweight child.

Thus the device is completely adjustable for maximum efflciency to suit all children. In FIG. 3 a modified design of seat 29 is shown which is of button type and which may be used in substitution of the seat 13 or which may be used in addition thereto, as desired.

, WhatInow claim is:

1. An amusement ride for a child comprising a supporting base; an upstanding flexible pole having the lower end portion rotatably supported about a vertical axis by bearing means associated with said supporting base; an elongated threaded sleeve threadingly engaged around a lower portion of said pole above said end portion for adjusting said sleeve vertically upwardly or downwardly with respect to said pole so as to control the flexing of said pole in response to a specific weight of a child; and support means connected to the upper end portion of said pole for supporting a child.

2. The amusement ride as set forth in claim 1, wherein a coil spring is fitted around the lower portion of said pole lying between said supporting base and said threaded sleeve, one end of said spring being stationarily secured, the opposite end of said spring being secured to said pole, said spring accordingly being adapted to be wound up when said pole is rotated and which upon release accordingly will cause said pole to rotate. 

1. An amusement ride for a child comprising a supporting base; an upstanding flexible pole having the lower end portion rotatably supported about a vertical axis by bearing means associated with said supporting base; an elongated threaded sleeve threadingly engaged around a lower portion of said pole above said end portion for adjusting said sleeve vertically upwardly or downwardly with respect to said pole so as to control the flexing of said pole in response to a specific weight of a child; and support means connected to the upper end portion of said pole for supporting a child.
 2. The amusement ride as set forth in claim 1, wherein a coil spring is fitted around the lower portion of said pole lying between said supporting base and said threaded sleeve, one end of said spring being stationarily secured, the opposite end of said spring being secured to said pole, said spring accordingly being adapted to be wound up when said pole is rotated and which upon release accordingly will cause said pole to rotate. 